What advice would you give to someone feeling discouraged or doubtful about their entrepreneurial journey?

I would tell them what nobody told me.

The doubt does not mean you are doing it wrong. It means you care. Every veteran I know who has tried to build something after service has hit that wall where the mission feels unclear, the resources feel thin, and the voice in your head asks whether any of it is worth it. That voice is lying.

I am a 100% service-disabled veteran building a landscaping business from the ground up with my wife and three kids at home, including a brand new baby. There is no playbook for this. There are days when the gap between where we are and where we are going feels enormous.

But I have learned that the people who make it are not the ones who never doubted. They are the ones who showed up anyway. You do not need to feel confident to take the next step. You just need to take it.

Start smaller than you think you should. Serve one person well. Build one thing you are proud of. Let your mission be bigger than your fear.

And find your community. The loneliest part of entrepreneurship is believing you are the only one struggling. You are not. We are all figuring it out one day at a time, and we are stronger when we do it together.

Keep going. The work you do matters.

Feeling discouraged in your entrepreneurial journey does not mean you are failing, it means you are stretching. This path is a pressure cooker. Payroll shows up whether you feel confident or not, deals fall through, equipment breaks, people quit, and markets shift. Doubt is not a stop sign, it is part of the growth process. When you feel it, zoom out before you zoom in. Do not judge your business off one bad week or one lost client. Look at your progress over years, not days. Separate your identity from the outcome. You are not this month’s revenue or one tough decision. Instead of asking what is wrong with me, ask what system needs tightening. Most discouragement is a signal that something in the process needs to improve. When everything feels overwhelming, shrink the battlefield and focus on the three highest leverage moves you can make this week. Momentum restores confidence. Protect your inputs by getting around other builders, sharpening your mind, and feeding yourself strong perspectives. Reconnect to why you started, whether that was freedom, impact, legacy, or providing for your family. And remember this truth: every entrepreneur you admire has doubted themselves, they just did not quit in the valley. You do not need a breakthrough, you need the next right decision. Stack enough of those and confidence will follow.

Always, always, always think about WHY you started your own journey as an entrepreneur! Was it a bad company that made you quit? Was it a vision you saw that wasn't being met by other companies? Was it for freedom? Just keep your goals in mind and know its not going to happen overnight.

JUST KEEP SWIMMING! 🐠

Feel the fear and do it anyway! I banged my head against the wall many times before learning from certain mistakes, and it’s made me a stronger leader today! And don’t ever give up.

It's often said that the most rewarding endeavors come with their share of challenges, and entrepreneurship is no exception. Think about it: whether you aspired to be an Olympic athlete or learned to drive, every worthwhile pursuit has its hurdles. These experiences teach us resilience and valuable life lessons, reminding us that the journey is rarely linear and there are always unexpected twists and turns along the way!

One piece of advice I often share with my clients is the importance of self-care and self-compassion. Prioritizing health and fitness, nutrition, and rest, whatever that means to you, is important to incorporate into your daily routine, whether you're at a job site, a client's home, or your remote office. Also, allow yourself the grace to fail, make mistakes, and learn from those experiences.

It’s completely normal to encounter obstacles and have days filled with doubt. However, amidst these challenges, it’s crucial to take a moment to celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem. Setting clear goals and recognizing your achievements can make all the difference! And remember, approaching your dreams is much like eating an elephant; just take it one bite at a time. Embrace the journey with optimism, and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish!

I can sum my experience as an entrepreneur with one quote that my mom shared with me when I was about 15 years old, "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." Don't expect to have it easy. Don't expect to never fall down. Don't expect to never have to start over. The one thing you can decide is to get up, dust yourself off, learn and fall forward. Those that go the furthest aren't those that had it easier...a lot of times its just those who refused to quit.

This hits home!
I’ve seen it and I’ve lived it.

Why? Because when I first started I ran on emotions, and made decisions— not using logic.

This is the cycle that keeps most contractors in the run around.
I believe we don’t need more motivation.
We need a blueprint to make decisions that actually hold up.

So I put this together for the ones who are tired of the emotional rollercoaster of contracting, service based business.

📌 Mad one day, burnt out the next, then desperate all over again. Im the hamster on the wheel. 

What are your thoughts?

If you're feeling discouraged or doubtful about your entrepreneurial journey, here are some pieces of advice from Solar Eclipse Window Coverings that may help: 

1. **Remember Your Why**: Reflect on why you started your venture in the first place. Reconnecting with your passion can reignite your motivation.
2. **Embrace Challenges**: Understand that setbacks are part of the entrepreneurial process. Each challenge can teach you valuable lessons and contribute to your growth.
3. **Set Small Goals**: Break your larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. Achieving these smaller milestones can boost your confidence and sense of progress.
4. **Seek Support**: Reach out to mentors, fellow entrepreneurs, or supportive friends and family. Sharing your experiences can provide new perspectives and encouragement.
5. **Celebrate Wins**: No matter how small, celebrate your achievements. Recognizing progress can improve your outlook and motivation.
6. **Stay Flexible**: Be open to adjusting your plans and strategies as needed. Flexibility can help you navigate obstacles more effectively.
7. **Focus on Learning**: Adopt a growth mindset and view challenges as opportunities to learn. Continuous learning will enhance your skills and resilience.
8. **Take Breaks**: Step back when you need to recharge. A change of perspective can bring renewed energy and clarity.
9. **Visualize Success**: Picture what success looks like for you. Visualization can help you stay focused and motivated on your journey.
10. **Keep Going**: Remember that persistence is key. Many successful entrepreneurs faced doubts along the way but persevered to achieve their goals. Trust the process, stay committed, and believe in your abilities. Your journey is unique, and every step contributes to your growth as an entrepreneur.

If you put half the dedication that you put towards working for someone else and running, building or maintaining their company/business then you won’t regret the pay off of doing that for yourself in the long run. But it can get tough though.